Xiaomi smartphone owners often aim to personalize the device immediately after purchase, and the Redmi Note 9 is no exception to this.The standard MIUI interface is certainly functional, but its visual component can seem boring after a long period of use. Changing the appearance is the easiest way to make the gadget unique and adapt it to your taste.
The process of changing the design on devices of this line is as simplified as possible by developers, but there are nuances regarding regional versions of firmware. In some cases, the standard store may not be available or work incorrectly without additional settings. Understanding these features will allow you to avoid unnecessary difficulties when finding the desired design.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of changing the style of the system, from the use of embedded tools to the installation of modified packages, you will learn how to safely experiment with icons, fonts and animations without disrupting the stability of the operating system of your smartphone.
Standard way to change design through the Topics app
The main tool for customizing the interface in the MIUI shell is the preinstalled Themes app, which is where most of the free and paid content officially approved by the company is concentrated, and to get started, you need to find a shortcut with the appropriate name on the desktop or in the Tools folder.
Once you launch the app, you will be taken to the home page, which features popular updates and selections from editors. Navigation through the catalog is via the lower menu, where you can select the Topic category to see the full list of available options. The system will automatically offer options that are compatible with the screen resolution of your Redmi Note 9.
If you choose your favorite option, click on the preview to see detailed descriptions and screenshots. Please note that some items may be paid, as indicated by the price tag instead of the download button. Free options are marked with the icon Free or simply the Download button.
⚠️ Note: When you first try to log into the Topics application, the system can request permission to use geolocation and access the network, this is necessary for the correct display of regional selections.
Once the file is uploaded to the device’s memory, an Apply button will appear, the system will warn you that the wallpaper, lock style and icons will be changed, confirm the action, and the screen will go out for a few seconds, after which you will see the updated interface.
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The built-in directory is the most secure source of themes, ensuring that all interface elements are compatible with your version of MIUI.
Set up a region to access the full directory
Users who have bought global versions of smartphones sometimes face limited choices in the Themes store, because content is licensed differently for each geographic region, and to expand the range, you just need to change the settings of the location in the system.
To do this, go to the main settings menu of the phone and find the option, and then select Region. In the list of countries that opens, you should choose India or Russia, as these markets have the most free content available.
When you change region, the interface can change a little, like new widgets or a different date format. Don't worry, this is a normal reaction of the MIUI shell to a different locale. Now, when you re-enter the Themes app, you'll see completely different sets.
- 🌏 India – a huge selection of free themes with a bright and unusual design.
- 🇷🇺 Russia – adapted fonts and styles popular among local users.
- 🇺🇸 US – minimalist versions, often with English text in interface elements.
It's important to understand that changing regions not only affect the theme store, but also affect the operation of other system services, such as Mi Pay or news feed. NFC-Payment, make sure that the country of your choice supports your bank, or return the region temporarily when making purchases.
The influence of the region on advertising
Use of third-party files and install APK
If the standard directory doesn't meet your needs, you can use third-party sources. There are many forums and sites on the Internet where enthusiasts post modified themes with exclusive designs.
You may need a third-party theme manager to install a downloaded file, as a standard application often blocks installation of unverified content. A popular solution is to use the Theme Editor utility or analogues available in the Google Play store.
The installation process is as follows: download the theme file, open the theme manager, select Import and specify the path to the downloaded file. After successful import, the theme will appear in the list of your local works, from where it can be activated.
⚠️ Warning: Installing themes from unverified sources can lead to unstable interface performance, so always back up important data before experimenting.
Some themes require root rights for full integration, but for the Redmi Note 9, most of the modifications work on standard firmware. Read the file description carefully before downloading to make sure it is compatible with your version of Android.
Customization of individual interface elements
The MIUI shell allows you to change not only the whole theme, but also its individual components, so you can create a unique combination that will perfectly match your preferences, and for this you need to go to the Profile tab in the Topic app.
Here you'll see Wallpaper, System Sounds, Fonts and Lock Screen sections, and if you click on any of them, you'll be placed in the appropriate directory, for example, you can leave standard icons, but completely change the unlock animation and notification melody.
The Font section deserves special attention. Replacing the system font can dramatically change the way you see text on the screen. There are both strict business styles available, handwritten or gothic options. After applying the font, you may need to reboot the device to display correctly in all applications.
- 🎨 Wallpaper - you can install a static image or live wallpaper with animation.
- 🔔 Sounds – Replacing system tunes with your phone’s memory tracks.
- 🔒 Lock screen – changing the style of the watch and the way to unlock.
Also available in this section is Second Theme Space, which allows you to store multiple design profiles and switch between them with a single touch, which is convenient if you want to have a strict look for work and bright for leisure.
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To create your own live wallpaper, you can use the Video Live Wallpaper application, which allows you to install any video file as a desktop background.
Comparison of personalization methods Redmi Note 9
The choice of how to change the design depends on your goals and level of preparation. Below is a table that will help determine the best option for your case.
| Method | Difficulty | Security | Variability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official store | Low. | Tall. | Medium |
| Change of region | Low. | Tall. | Tall. |
| Third-party files (MTZ) | Medium | Medium | Maximum |
| The Launchers | Tall. | Tall. | Maximum |
Using third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher is an alternative route.It completely changes the logic of the desktop, allowing you to customize the grid, gestures and animations deeper than standard MIUI allows.
However, installing a third-party launcher can lead to increased battery consumption and conflicts with system navigation gestures. On the Redmi Note 9 with its Snapdragon 730G processor, there is a margin of performance, but system optimization plays a key role.
Possible problems and solutions
Users may experience a variety of errors in the design experiments, the most common being a bootloop after applying a heavy theme, which occurs if the theme file is corrupted or incompatible with the firmware version.
If the phone is stuck on the MI logo, try to boot into Safe Mode. When you turn on the smartphone, when the logo appears, press the volume button. In Safe Mode, third-party themes are not activated, which will remove the problematic file.
Also, you can see icon desynchronization, where the icons of the application become white squares or disappear. This is solved by resetting the theme settings to the standard through the Topics menu → Profile → Themes → Classic.
⚠️ Warning: If the approximation sensor or touchscreen stops working after installing the theme, delete the theme immediately, as it may conflict with hardware drivers.
To return to the original state, always keep a standard Classic theme on hand. It is sewn into the device memory and cannot be deleted, making it a reliable recovery tool.